Mainstay Insurance

I am so proud to be a part of the Sanofi Canada Healthcare Survey Advisory Board. The 2020 report dropped yesterday.

The report provides interesting insight into what both employees, and the employers offering benefits, think of them.

LANDING PAGE (including past years reports)            READ THE FULL REPORT

I’ve had several clients reach out because staff have asked for T2200 forms to cover expenses while working remotely. I am not going to wade into this and suggest you speak to your accountant.  That said, I thought this was interesting and glad to see they are looking into it more..

As business environments shift in response to COVID-19, companies are managing employees remotely. Working from home (WFH) has become the “new normal” for a lot of organizations, as we all do our part to keep our communities healthy.

Crowe MacKay’s tax team suspects the next question that is on everyone’s mind is – what are the tax implications of working from home? How does having your employees work from home impact you as an employer as well as them from a tax standpoint? Here’s how you can begin to navigate this as it relates to your 2020 taxes.

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The Ontario Ministry of Labour has provided a ton of resources to help employers returning staff to the workforce.  Take a look, some of the posters and checklists may save you the time of creating your own.

Resources for working safely during the COVID-19 outbreak, aimed at employers and workers, are available online. These include guidelines for numerous jobs and sectors, as well as downloadable workplace posters and graphic tip sheets.

LINK HERE

My association (CGIB) is sponsoring this event intended for Ontario employers. If you are interested in attending, please review the info below and sign up ASAP.  We had over 560 for part 1 and expect more for this one.

The New Reality: Stabilizing and Restoring your Workplace from COVID-19—Part 2

During COVID-19, new government programs and legislative changes are being tabled at a dizzying pace. Coupled with dire economic circumstances and widespread uncertainty that are challenging employers at every turn, organizations are working overtime to adapt their products and transform services, all while developing return-to-work strategies designed to recalibrate the workplace, reintegrate employees and restore growth and productivity.

Join the Williams HR Law and Williams HR Consulting teams on June 4^th at 9:30am EST for the second webinar in a special two-day virtual edition of the annual Williams HR Proactive Workplace Webinar. Part 2 will cover:

• New developments related to layoffs, constructive dismissal and paid sick days
• Accommodation requirements in light of COVID-19, with a focus on mental health, immunocompromised employees and employees’ childcare obligations
• Anticipated conduct issues and investigation obligations
• How to build a return-to-work plan for your organization

The  webinar will also include a live Q&A session where attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions to the Williams HR Law and Consulting teams. Click here to register.

Agenda – Part Two – June 4

For those of you that had staff lay-offs without benefits, and were watching the 13 week mark fast approaching, where the Ontario ESA would normally require severance to be paid…you can relax a bit.

The Ontario government has made some changes to try and protect employers so there is a better likelihood of having a job to come back to. An article is below from Laura Williams and a government link with details.

Ontario Extending Infectious Disease Emergency Leave for Workers during COVID-19

New Regulation will protect employees from permanent layoffs and businesses from potential closures

On May 29, 2020, the Ontario government published a new Regulation, O. Reg. 228/20: Infectious Disease Emergency Leave, under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”).

The Regulation will have a dramatic impact on Ontario employers impacted by COVID-19. It is important to note, however, that the changes outlined below do not apply to unionized employees.

READ ARTICLE

I’m slowing down blog posts to avoid overwhelming, and as things start to return to the new normal, I’ll try and get these back to once a week.

I thought it worthwhile to let you know that many of the medical service offices that have been closed are now gearing up to re-open.  Some of these may require huge changes to practices (dentists), others less so (massage therapy), and each will rely on their regulatory body requirements to keep you safe during the transition.

Many insurers have been providing rebates during the closures, but we expect these to be reduced, or end in the near future, as services re-open and claims begin to increase. Stay tuned for more.

Dentists, optometrists and massage therapists are part of a list of health-care providers that the Ontario government says can gradually reopen following a months-long shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chiropractors, physiotherapists, psychologists, dieticians, denturists, and midwives are also included on the list released Wednesday as part of a new order from the province’s chief medical officer of health.

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Just a reminder of this webinar of interest. I am helping to support the event and sharing with our clients as well as CGIB members who will be making it available to their clients across the country.  Laura is both an interesting and dynamic speaker that leaves you with lots of take-aways you can put to use in your firm.

Details and booking info is below.  We hope you’ll join us.

To sign up: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/williams-hr-proactive-workplace-webinars-tickets-103923273308

This post applies to those using the Ontario Drug Benefit program (ODB – generally for seniors) and those with high cost drugs utilizing the Trillium Drug Benefit (TDB).

The provincial government has provided resources to help reduce costs and aid in the application process by allowing fax and e-mailing of application forms.

Please feel free to pass this along to employees, friends or family that may need assistance.

Ontario Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable During COVID-19

https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-coverage-prescription-drugs

Ontario Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable During COVID-19
Province provides relief for Ontarians using the Ontario Drug Benefit Program

https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2020/05/ontario-making-prescription-drugs-more-affordable-during-covid-19.html

As you begin to prepare to recall staff (or think about it), and what a return to the workplace looks like. I thought I’d share a few links you may find useful.

Many Canadian employers implemented temporary layoffs due to the devastating financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis. These employers are entitled to recall their employees back to work at any point in time prior to the expiry of the applicable statutory layoff period. With community transmission of COVID-19 beginning to slow down, Canada’s federal and provincial governments are beginning to consider easing restrictions and gradually reopening certain businesses. In addition, it will not be long before the applicable layoff periods expire for some employers.

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EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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